Ankle decisions — 2013

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum available rating under Diagnostic Code 5271. The ratings for his right wrist and left wrist disabilities remain at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for pseudofolliculitis barbae and hemorrhoids were denied. The claim for service connection for residuals of bilateral ankle injuries is considered 'unknown' as it does not appear to be the primary focus of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and determining whether the appellant's neck disorder, low back disorder, headaches, and nerve disorder of his upper extremities are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher benefits payment rate under the Post-9/11 GI Bill is granted, as he was discharged from service due to a service-connected disability (left ankle strain and non-union of old fractures, left ankle).

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee and right ankle disabilities are not related to his service-connected left knee and left ankle disabilities, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional medical inquiry into his claims, including an increased rating for a right foot and ankle disorder and service connection for various lower extremity disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, including retropatellar pain syndrome and as secondary to the service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease and right ankle posterior tibial tendon insufficiency, is being remanded due to inadequate examination and need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative changes of the lower lumbar spine and residuals of a right ankle injury were denied. The Board found that prior to February 11, 2013, the Veteran's residuals of a right ankle injury did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent. On and after February 11, 2013, his residuals met the criteria for a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected tension headaches, right ankle disability, cervical spine disability, and thoracolumbar spine disability have been denied. The current evaluations are deemed appropriate.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for progressive arthritis of the shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles. The claim is now considered on its merits.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a cardiovascular disability and found new and material evidence to support reopening. The Veteran's current heart disability is related to his service-connected cold injury residuals, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's left ankle disability under Diagnostic Code 5271, effective from May 15, 2006.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and a right medial meniscus tear, as well as generalized arthritis (not limited to ankles and knees) and hypertension. The Veteran's current disabilities were not shown to be incurred during his periods of active military service.,Service connection was also denied for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to lack of evidence showing they were incurred or aggravated by active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 19, 2009, for the award of a 20 percent rating for his service-connected left ankle disability was denied as there is no evidence that the increase in disability occurred within one year before the October 30, 2006 claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and personnel history. The VA will obtain missing service personnel records, treatment records from various VA facilities, and Social Security Administration disability benefits records.

The Veteran's right ankle strain has been characterized by subjective complaints of weakness, stiffness, instability, and pain. However, objective evidence shows no limitation of motion or other functional impairment. The Board finds that the disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle and foot disorder. The claim of secondary service connection for a left hip and knee disorders is pending.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the left knee and ankle is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle and low back disabilities are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left ankle or bilateral hip disability that is related to his military service. The evidence shows no chronic conditions during service and no nexus between any current disabilities and service.